Pope provides lunch for 1,500 poor guests after Mother Teresa's Canonisation Mass

Pope Paul VI Hall

At the conclusion of the Canonisation Mass for Mother Teresa of Calcutta, thanked all those who attended the day's celebrations, especially those most closely attached to St Teresa. Pope Francis spoke in a special way to the many volunteers present, who are in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee for Volunteers and Workers of Mercy. Pope Francis remembered especially those who offer their service in "difficult and risky" situations. He recalled Sister Isabel, a Spanish missionary sister who was killed last week in Haiti, as well as other religious sisters who have suffered violence in recent days.

In the afternoon, a special lunch of Neapolitan pizza was laid on for 1,500 guests in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall. The guests were the poor and needy, especially from the houses of the Sisters of Mother Teresa. They came from all over Italy including Milan, Bologna, Florence, Naples and all the houses in Rome.

The lunch guests had traveled to Rome in special coaches and were served by around 250 Sisters of Mother Teresa, 50 Brothers of the congregation for men and other volunteers.